Soren expressed his willingness for talks with the Maoists when newsmen asked him whether the ruling UPA was interested in a dialogue with CPI(Maoist).

Soren is the sixth chief minister who has offered talks with the Maoists. All the former chief ministers -- Babulal Marandi, Arjun Munda (twice CM) and Madhu Koda had their expressed willingness for talks but the naxalites did not initiate any move to accept the offer.

To another query as to what steps his government would take to stop illegal mining of mica in Giridih and Kodarma districts, the chief minister said he would send an official team to the areas and submit their report to him.

He said the panchayat polls in the state would be held only after Supreme Court’s judgement on a bunch of petitions made against certain provisions of the Panchayat Act.